Grieving man who lost daughter and ex-wife in murder spree shares story

Posted: Mon 8:34 PM, Feb 12, 2018&nbsp|&nbsp

Updated: Mon 8:40 PM, Feb 12, 2018

PAINTSVILLE, Ky. (WKYT/WYMT) - Bob VanHoose is talking publicly for the first time since his daughter, Lindsey, and ex-wife, Patty, were killed in what police called a “horrific murder spree” in Johnson County.

“Patty, she was a good person. She had the best heart ever was and didn't have no problems with anybody. Lindsey was a good little girl. I loved her to death,” he said.

Bob VanHoose is struggling to figure out why someone would take the lives of his daughter and ex-wife. He says pictures and memories help him cope with the overwhelming grief.

“When you have that kind of loss it's just so hard,” VanHoose said. “It's just unbearable.”

Investigators say Lindsey VanHoose’s boyfriend, Joseph Nickell, shot and killed her and her mom, Patty VanHoose, at an apartment in Paintsville.

Those shootings, police say, came right after Nickell opened fire on his parents, Arlene and Wayne Nickell, at a home in the Volga community, killing both of them.

Investigators say, after Nickell gunned down his parents, he also chased after his 19-year-old son and fired at least one shot at him, but the young man was able to run away and call for help.

Now, those who did not survive the rampage are being remembered by the ones they left behind.

“My heart goes out to all the people that have to experience anything like this. It's so dreadful and awful,” said Bob VanHoose. "It just devastated me."

An account to help pay for funeral expenses for the Van Hoose family has been set up at Preston Funeral Home in Paintsville. Family members tell us Lindsey VanHoose leaves behind three children and was about to become a grandmother for the first time.

Online Public Information File

Viewers with disabilities can get assistance accessing this station's FCC Public Inspection File by contacting the station with the information listed below. Questions or concerns relating to the accessibility of the FCC's online public file system should be directed to the FCC at 888-225-5322, 888-835-5322 (TTY), or fccinfo@fcc.gov.